The Scottish Green Party fears cyclists could be sidelined by the long-awaited dualling of the notorious A9.
MSP Alison Johnstone said she had been told by Transport Scotland officials that the new road was unlikely to have parallel routes for people who wanted to use pedal power because of environmental impacts and costs.
But Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch SNP MSP Dave Thompson dismissed claims that cycle routes would be too expensive as “nonsense”.
Green MSP Ms Johnstone, who is co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, said: “The Scottish Government is under enormous pressure to get the rate of cycling up from the current 1% of journeys to 10% within the next six years.
“It would be monumentally daft if they spent £3billion on a dual carriageway that did not incorporate better cycle infrastructure for Highland and Perthshire communities.
“It seems ministers are not in tune with officials managing the project, and they need to sort it out.”
However, Mr Thompson said he believed that cycle routes would be included in the plans. He said: “As far as I’m concerned, the claims are nonsense.
“I’ve been in touch with the transport minister and Transport Scotland and have received assurances that cycle routes and people ways are a big part of the plan.
“These can used by cyclists, walkers, horses and so on, so they aren’t just a cycle path.
“If we are going to spend £3billion on something, then let’s do it properly and get the best out of things. If they have dropped the cycle routes then I would be the first one out campaigning.”
The massive job of dualling 80 miles of the A9 between Inverness and Perth is due for completion by 2025.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said feedback from consultations was that “non-motorised users” wanted cycling facilities close to the road, with safe crossing facilities.
He said: “This approach has been adopted in the draft road orders for the first section of dualling between Kincraig and Dalraddy, where construction is expected to start in 2015-16.”